The Bangles were at their career peak in the 1980s, and found their inspiration in music of the 1960s.

But nearly 25 years after that peak, they were still inspiring as a band, with the sound of both decades ringing out truly, and very entertainingly, at a show before what appeared to be a sold-out show Saturday at Philadelphia’s Theatre of Living Arts.

In the first show of a tour to promote “Sweetheart of the Sun,” the band’s first disc in eight years, The Bangles not only recaptured what made them hits in the 1980s, but the vibe that inspired them, as well.

They opened both the show and the encore with songs from its strong new disc, kicking off its sort-of title song, “Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun).”

From the start, the band’s high vocals were recognizable, and guitarist Vicki Peterson was obviously enjoying herself, smiling and bouncing as she played. The band, now a trio since bassist Michael Steele left in 2005, played with a touring bassist and keyboard player (both male).

They ran through the first four songs without as much as a beat between, Peterson playing good solos, singer Susanna Hoffs swinging her hair and drummer Debbi Peterson pounding with vigor – and even singing, very well, on “Some Dreams Come True.”

When they finally did pause, it was to thank the crowd for its support. “I can’t tell you how good it feels to be back in Philly,” said Vicki Peterson, who was a city resident 1990-91.

The 21-song, 85-minute set leaned heavily on the new disc, with the band playing six of its 12 songs. By far the best was “I’ll Never Be Through With You.” Its sound was signature Bangles – slow with sweet harmonies, and Hoffs singing very strongly.

But its other songs were worthy of inclusion. Hoffs also sang “Under a Cloud,” swinging her hair from side to side. Debbie Peterson sang the ‘60s-style rocker “Ball N’Chain,” and Vicki Peterson sang its cover of Nazz’s “Open My Eyes,” which she noted was written by Philadelphian Todd Rundgren.

The group played songs from its entire catalog – even two from its little-noticed 2003 disc “Doll Revolution.” Vicki Peterson’s singing was particularly strong on that disc’s “The Rain Song.”

But the group also leaned heavily on its major label debut disc, 1984’s “All Over The Place,” singing five of its songs.

“This goes way back,” Vicki said before her sister sang that disc’s “Live.” “Back when we were singing ‘60s songs. It was the ‘80s, but we listening to ‘60s records.”

And, indeed, another song from that disc, “Going Down to Liverpool,” was one of the night’s highlights. With Debbi again singing – she came out from behind the drum kit for this one –it was great: fun and upbeat, with some of the night’s best harmonies.

The group also pulled out a couple of surprised. On “Get That Girl,” the song that reunited the group after a 10-year break for the movie “Austin Powers,” contained a snippet of The Turtles’ “Outside Chance.” During the encore, they play a bit of The Who’s “Magic Bus.”

Guitarist Vicki Peterson

But the group got by far the best response to its hits, and with good reason: They were among the night’s best songs.

Its cover of “Hazy Shade of Winter” was the second song, Debbi pounding the drums as Hoffs sang with a serious look, her eyes shifting side to side. “Manic Monday” was too fast, but sent a rush through the crowd, which started bopping. Hoffs’s vocals were particularly strong, as she stretched out lyrics to good effect.

“Eternal Flame,” which Hoffs sang at the mic without her instrument, was very good, but Hoffs didn’t reach for the high note at the end. She did the song better when she played Sellersville Theater with Matthew Sweet in November 2009. Still the crowd sang along.

But the night’s best was “If She Knew What She Wants.” Sweet, intimate and emotional, slightly updated musically, it was wonderful – and got a big cheer.

And they closed the main set with “In Your Room,” the crowd dancing, in a sort of medley with “Hero Takes a Fall” and Doll Revolution’s “Ride The Ride.” Hoffs was so into the music she would dip her head and swing her hair.

Bangles drummer Debbi Peterson

The two-song encore opened with a hard-rocking “Sweet and Tender Romance” from the new disc, and closed with – of course – “Walk Like an Egyptian.” They played it loose and fun – Hoffs even badly screwed up the lyrics to her verse, smiling sheepishly.

But the crowd didn’t care; they were dancing crazily and loudly singing the chorus’ “Way Oh/Way Oh” refrain. They, too, found inspiration in the 1980s.

Opening act Antigone Rising, another all-female band, was very good -- sassy and brassy on a six-song, 30-minute set.

They played of rock that was country-tinged, but not really country-rock – heavier and just as influenced by blues. Singer Nina Camps even played slide resonator guitar, and corn-rowed lead guitarist Cathy Henderson mugged as she fired off rock licks.

But their sweet vocals leavened that into a nice fusion that was very good, indeed.

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JOHN J. MOSER has been around long enough to have seen the original Ramones in a small club in New Jersey, U2 from the fourth row of a theater and Bob Dylan's born-again tours. But he also has the number for All-American Rejects' Nick Wheeler on his cell phone, wrote the first story ever done on Jack's Mannequin and hung out in Wiz Khalifa's hotel room.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

JODI DUCKETT: As The Morning Call's assistant features editor responsible for entertainment, she spends a lot of time surveying the music landscape and sizing up the Valley's festivals and club scene. She's no expert, but enjoys it all — especially artists who resonated in her younger years, such as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Tracy Chapman, Santana and Joni Mitchell.

KATHY LAUER-WILLIAMS enjoys all types of music, from roots rock and folk to classical and opera. Music has been a constant backdrop to her life since she first sat on the steps listening to her mother’s Broadway LPs when she was 2. Since becoming a mother herself, she has become well-versed on the growing genre of kindie rock and, with her son in tow, can boast she has seen a majority of the current kid’s performers from Dan Zanes to They Might Be Giants.

STEPHANIE SIGAFOOS: A Jersey native raised in Northeast PA, she was reared in a house littered with 8-tracks, 45s and cassette tapes of The Beatles, Elvis, Meatloaf and Billy Joel. She also grew up on the sounds of Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw and can be found traversing the countryside in search of the sounds of a steel guitar. A fan of today's 'new country,' she digs mainstream/country-pop crossovers like Lady Antebellum and Sugarland and other artists that illustrate the genre's diversity.